# play the victim card

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/play-the-victim-card
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To portray oneself as an innocent victim instead of taking responsibility.

## Examples

- Stop playing the victim card whenever you make a mistake.
- He always plays the victim card to avoid admitting that he caused the argument.
- Rather than acknowledging his professional shortcomings, he chose to play the victim card, effectively shifting the blame onto his colleagues.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.